MILLICENT HUNGWE
In Eswatini, Ascension Day, also known as the Feast of the Ascension, is observed as a public holiday.
This year Ascension Day falls on May 29 and is meant to commemorate the ascension of Jesus Christ to heaven.
The holiday is the 40th day after Easter, as a public holiday, businesses and schools are closed.
It is a religious holiday observed by many Christians in Eswatini.
Last year it was celebrated on May 09 and next year it will take place on May 14.
Moreover this year’s preparations are underway to ensure a seamless event filled with spiritual significance.
Austria, Belgium, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Indonesia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Namibia, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and Vanuatu all observe a public holiday for Ascension Day.
Bishop Samson Hlatjwako of League of African Churches President highlighted that the principal service would commence at 10 am on the day, inviting citizens from across the nation to participate in this important religious observance.
As a vital component of the celebrations, church leaders are urged to arrive by 10 am on May 28 to facilitate preparations for the main service and to engage in the evening’s activities leading up to the Ascension Day ceremony.
“The Mbangweni Royal Residence will serve as the esteemed venue, and we warmly invite the entire nation to join us in fellowship as we gather to commemorate this blessed occasion,” Bishop Hlatjwako stated.
The Midweek Watch sources from Eswatini said, “As Christians, Jesus was crucified on Good Friday and lay to rest, then he resurrected on Sunday, that’s when Christians start counting the days from Sunday for forty days.
“Within those forty days, Jesus came back and showed himself to the disciples.”
One of the Sources emphasized that after 40 days, that’s when Jesus met his disciples and ascended back to heaven, and they saw him going up to heaven, for Christians, it’s an important day because he said, ‘I’m going to my Father’s house, and I’m going to prepare a place for you, and I will come and take you.’
This was the last time Jesus was seen, that’s the significance of Ascension Day celebrated in Eswatini
In biblical scriptures, Jesus was using forty days as a parallel to his time in the wilderness.
For Christians, the Ascension reinforces the lordship of Jesus and invites them to submit to His authority.
The Ascension influences Christians, as the fact that Jesus’ followers witnessed him ascending into the clouds leaves no doubt that he is alive with the Father in Heaven and is no longer limited.
